The bar set up at Cold Drinks, the Scotch-centric watering hole at San Francisco’s China Live emporium. (Mary Orlin/Bay Area News Group)

Most of the bottles on the Cold Drinks bar at San Francisco’s China Live food and market hall are filled with Scotch. (Mary Orlin/Bay Area News Group)

Bats on on a hallway wall signal the unmarked entrance to the Cold Drinks Scotch-focused bar at San Francisco’s China Live emporium. (Mary Orlin/Bay Area News Group)

A trio of Scotch cocktails created by mixologists at Cold Drinks Scotch-focused bar at San Francisco’s China Live emporium includes the signature Sometimes Old Fashioned, Nothing Sacred and Al’s Cut libations. (Mary Orlin/Bay Area News Group)

Contrary to Principal Skinner’s declaration to Bart Simpson that “there’s no such thing as Scotchtoberfest,” Bay Area watering holes and Scotch dens will pay homage to Scotland’s famous whiskies throughout October. The even better news? Participating in Scotchtober will not land you three months detention. Here’s where to imbibe (responsibly).

Underway now through Oct. 11, San Francisco’s second oldest continually operating saloon — since 1858 — celebrates not just Scotch whisky, but Irish, American, Canadian and other craft whiskies too. Mix and mingle with spirits pros and sip your way through some of the world’s top Scotch distillery bottlings, and learn how to concoct whiskey cocktails and punches. www.elixirsf.com

2 Alexander’s Steakhouse and The Sea by Alexander’s Steakhouse

This trio of South Bay, Peninsula and San Francisco eateries are devoted to everything Scotch. Head to the Cupertino or San Francisco steakhouses or the Palo Alto seafood restaurant for single malts, blended Scotch and rare spirits (think Macallan “M” or Highland Park 1968). Each location has a different Scotch list and cocktail menu. You’ll find the Scotchy Scotch Scotch ($16, made with Madeira, vermouth and Grand Marnier) and Braveheart Mule ($15) in Cupertino. Look for flights to be offered soon. Don’t miss the four-course Glenfiddich Scotch Whisky dinner ($200) on Oct. 5 at the Cupertino restaurant. www.alexanderssteakhouse.com

3 Acme Bar & Company

A true Scotch lover’s emporium, this Berkeley bar’s shelves are stocked with more than 300 whiskies from around the world. The Scotch selection alone boasts some 60 single malt and blended scotch labels, including a rare Celtic Heartlands 1980 Caol Ila finished in amarone wine casks and a vintage 1967 Tomintoul Scotch. You can select from three or four rotating Scotch flights too, with four ½-ounce pours ($20-$200 depending on Scotch selection). Or customize your own flight for $25-$300 (if you pick the really good stuff). www.acmebarandcompany.com

Head to San Jose’s whiskey-centric bar to sample a variety of single malt and blended Scotch. Named for the classic bourbon whiskey cocktail, Paper Plane also boasts a respectable Scotch whisky collection, including a couple dozen rare, old or hard-to-find spirits. The seasonal cocktail menu lists several Scotch libations, including the Shield Maiden ($13) with Drambuie and matcha. www.paperplanesj.com

5 Cold Drinks at China Live

Seek out this Scotch den, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of San Francisco’s China Live food hall complex on its second floor. When you see the black bats on the wall, you’ll know you’ve arrived at the unmarked entrance. (The bats, by the way, symbolize luck in China.) The entire back bar is lined with a plethora of Scotch bottles. Play around and build your own flight, or try sips of the limited high-end Macallan Edition No. 1. Or go for the signature Sometimes Old Fashioned cocktail ($16), a unique concoction made with duck fat-infused Speyburn 10 Scotch, or Nothing Sacred ($16), a sunset-hued libation with mango puree. www.chinalivesf.com

Mary Orlin is the wine and food writer for the Bay Area News Group and a James Beard Award and Emmy award-winning journalist, Certified Sommelier and WSET Advanced certified wine professional and frequent wine judge. Prior to joining the newspaper group in 2014, Mary contributed to local and national wine publications, and produced the wine TV show "In Wine Country" on NBC for nine seasons. Mary's journalism career began at CNN in Atlanta. She enjoys cooking and traveling throughout the world's great wine regions.